Shira's Belly Dancing Classes
&
Special Events

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• Beginning Belly Dancing in Iowa City, Iowa. April 8, 2008 through May 13, 2008.
• Workshops

Class Location Arts a La Carte (located in a former church known as Old Brick, parking lot entrance) 20 East Market Street (cross street is Clinton) Iowa City, IA 52245 See the photo of Old Brick to the right - the Arts A La Carte dance studio is around to the left, on the left end of the parking lot entrance. Class Times Belly Dance 1. 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday nights. For newcomers to belly dance. Belly Dance 2. 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday nights. For students who have had prior classes in belly dance. Next Session: April 8, 2008 through May 13, 2008. Please come 15 minutes early so we can start dancing promptly at the scheduled time.

Class Fees & Supplies

• Price is $55 for the full 6-week session of either Belly Dance 1 or Belly Dance 2.
• If you sign up for both Belly Dance 1 and Belly Dance 2, the price for the two together is $100.

To Enroll

Contact Shira either via e-mail or phone at (319) 331-2572.

Supplies Needed

Hip scarf, finger cymbals, CD of the music used in class. These will be discussed the first night of class and available for purchase from the instructor.

What To Wear To Class

It's easier to learn a dance form if you practice in clothes that complement the movements because it makes it easier to feel it when you're doing it right and it makes it look better in the mirror! So here are some recommendations to help you get the most out of class: Unitard with an inexpensive shawl or scarf tied around the hips. Leotard with tights and an inexpensive shawl or scarf tied around the hips. Crop top with hip-height leggings or yoga pants and an inexpensive shawl or scarf tied around the hips. Belly dance practice costume. There are many variations on this theme, but a simple version would be a crop top or halter top, skirt or pantaloons worn at the hip line, and shawl or scarf tied around the hips. Click here to see a design for a sample belly dance practice costume. In the photo to the right, I'm wearing a leotard, hip scarf, and pants. The leotard and pants are fancier than what I normally wear to class, but they give you the general idea.

Recommended footwear includes socks, ballet slippers, Hermes sandals (shown in the photo to the left), Scottish ghillies, or lyrical shoes. Avoid sneakers or other shoes with non-skid surfaces because they grip the floor too tightly and can torque the knees. Bare feet are acceptable, but not recommended because some moves taught in class involve pivoting which can cause painful blisters if done barefoot. Shoes worn outdoors are not allowed in the dance studio.

Cultural Tip: In Egypt (and many other countries), "Oriental Dance" (the correct name for this dance form) is a social dance that people do for the fun of it at family celebrations such as weddings. At these occasions, people don't wear special costumes--they just wear their party clothes. However, when a woman gets up to dance, she grabs a long, rectangular scarf and ties it at her hips. She keeps it on the whole time she's dancing. So, tying a scarf or shawl around your hips will help you discover what the dance is supposed to feel like!